The AICPA and NASBA are launching an integrated education and experience program for students who need or want a path to the 150 credit hours of education required for CPA licensure, that allows them to earn up to 30 educational credit hours while they are employed with a CPA firm and earning a living. The ELE combines meaningful online academic coursework integrated with work experience.
The first cohort of student associates will begin the ELE in Spring 2024. All student associates in the pilot program will take online courses from our pilot partner Tulane University and will have the opportunity to earn up to 30 credit hours in areas relevant to their careers while being employed in accounting positions.
Participating employers will give student associates time to study and learn, allow them to apply what they learn during their client engagements, and provide mentoring on a regular basis. As the program is expanded, we expect additional universities across the country to participate and to increase the learning offerings to address, more comprehensively, both employer and employee needs. If a student needs the full 30 credit hours, the total cost will be under $5,000, and less if fewer credits are needed.
The pilot class for the ELE is currently forming for the Spring, Summer and Fall 2024 semesters. As the program develops, the ELE will become an increasingly dynamic and cost-effective recruitment tool for employers to leverage in new staff hiring and helping existing staff over the CPA finish line. To best equip student associates for success, employers will establish flexible work schedules including dedicated time to complete on-line coursework.
To participate in the program, an employer will:
As a participant in the program, a student will:
If you are interested in hiring staff, committing existing staff, or putting student employees through this program in your firm to participate in the ELE program beginning in Spring, Summer or Fall 2024, please reach out to us at Feedback@ExperienceLearnEarn.org
As the ELE pilot progresses, we will issue an RFP to involve universities across the country to participate and build out course offerings for the ELE program. Stay tuned for more information on how your university can get involved.
If you have any questions, please reach out to use at Feedback@ExperienceLearnEarn.org
What is the ELE? (+) Show answer
The Experience, Learn and Earn (ELE) program is an AICPA and NASBA initiative to develop an integrated education and experience program for students who need a path to the 150 credit hours required for CPA licensure.
As a participant in the program, a student will:
Why is the ELE needed? (+) Show answer
Some students today face certain hurdles when trying to obtain their 150 credit hours for CPA licensure including lack of resources to complete the +30 and lack of awareness of options to secure the 150. The ELE provides a route for students without the means or a plan to earn 150 through a program combining meaningful online student integrated with early work experience. This program will provide additional flexibility in a student’s journey to 150, increase accessibility to opportunities at CPA firms and produce qualifying academic credits for CPA licensure.
What are the principles of the ELE? (+) Show answer
The ELE program offers:
How can my firm participate in the ELE? (+) Show answer
If you are a firm interested in hiring staff or committing existing staff to participate in the ELE in the pilot, please reach out to us at Feedback@ExperienceLearnEarn.org
Can my firm offer the ELE to existing staff? (+) Show answer
Yes. The program is open to any staff, new or existing, at a CPA firm with a completed bachelor’s in accounting and in need of up to 30 additional credit hours. Note that the ELE program will not offer core accounting courses required for CPA licensure. It will offer other courses critical to the work being completed in the profession of today and tomorrow.
How can my university participate in the ELE? (+) Show answer
As the ELE pilot progresses, we will issue an RFP to include more universities across the country and increase the course offerings to be tailorable to each firm’s needs. Stay tuned for more information on how your university can get involved.
If you have any questions, please reach out to use at Feedback@ExperienceLearnEarn.org
Does the education component of the program also count towards the student’s experience requirement for licensure? (+) Show answer
The AICPA and NASBA’s goal for the ELE is to help students fulfill their education requirement for CPA licensure. It is not the intention of the program to count the education component as part of a CPA candidate’s experience requirement for licensure. However, what qualifies as experience is ultimately up to each state board of accountancy and candidates should review the rules in the state they intend to apply for licensure.
How can a student join the ELE? (+) Show answer
Firms will recruit and hire students into the ELE. To participate in the program, a student must have completed his bachelor’s degree and core accounting courses and be hired by a firm participating in the program.
What kind of courses will be included in the ELE? (+) Show answer
The coursework in the ELE will include topics based on skills and competencies needed by first year staff. Students will take academic courses that mix traditional coursework and experiential learning (not internship courses). The courses will be offered in an online, asynchronous format and once completed will be listed on a university transcript acceptable for CPA licensure. The ELE does not offer the core accounting courses required for state licensure.
Are students required to take all 30 credit hours? (+) Show answer
No, students are not required to take 30 credit hours. The program is flexible and will allow students to take any number of credit hours based on individual need, up to 30 hours.
Will students earn a degree for the ELE? (+) Show answer
The ELE is a non-degree earning program. Students will receive a transcript with their completed courses that can be submitted in their application for CPA licensure.
How could the ELE evolve in the future? (+) Show answer
The ELE is flexible with the opportunity to evolve. We look forward to learning from the pilot and evolving the program based on feedback from the students, firms and universities. As the program grows, it could:
Who can I reach out to with more questions?
Please reach out to us at Feedback@ExperienceLearnEarn.org.